Caster Semenya Takes A Stand and Makes Her Intentions CLEAR

"I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions," Semenya said in a statement on Tuesday shortly after a meet in South Africa denied the 19-year-old world champion's request to run.

The above photo is from: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/11/13/1258129801054/Caster-Semenya-001.jpg

For background, please see my first article, which has had several updates posted to it back in Aug.- Sept.of last year. This is just too good to be an update!

http://www.womansmojorisings.com/woman-speak/2009/8/21/caster-semenya-south-africas-golden-girl.html

The following articles in Dec.2009 were not included:

www.telegraph.co.uk/.../Caster-Semenya-considers-legal-action-against-The-Guardian-newspaper.html

Semenya's lawyers say the South African runner was tricked into speaking to a reporter for The Guardian for an article that was published Saturday in the newspaper.

Dewey & LeBoeuf managing partner Greg Nott says in a statement that anything in the article "which are alleged to have been obtained from or attributed to our client have been so obtained under false pretenses and in a wrongful and unlawful manner."

http://insidethegames.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8567:semenya-to-sue-iaaf-and-asa-in-multi-million-dollar-lawsuits

December 26 - Caster Semenya (pictured), the world 800 metres champion, is set to launch multi-million dollar law suits against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Athletics South Africa (ASA) over the gender row which she claims has wrecked her life.

The South African teenager has retained Greg Nott, the lawyer from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP who acted for South African double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius on a pro bono basis in his successful effort to overturn the IAAF's decision to ban him from competing in able-bodied track events and attempting to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing last year.

The great news today is:

http://www.fanhouse.com/2010/03/30/caster-semenya-plans-return-to-competitive-running/

Semenya has not been banned or suspended, but said Tuesday she had committed to letting the IAAF determine its stance on her eligibility. Now, however, the process has gone on too long and Semenya said her career and livelihood were being impacted.

"I am an athlete first and foremost and it is vital for my competitiveness, my well being and for my preparations for events during the European summer that I measure my performance against other athletes," she said.

Earlier Tuesday, Semenya was denied a spot to race at a meet in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, despite pleas from her coach and lawyer to let her compete... "I am of the firm view that there is no impediment to me competing in athletics competitions," she said. "I will, however, continue to assist the IAAF with whatsoever they may require for their own processes and in this regard I have instructed my legal and medical team to work closely with, and continue negotiation with them for these purposes."

The question is WHY??????????

When... http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/19/caster-semenya-athletics-south-africa

The International Association of Athletics Federations has agreed that the South African runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800 metres world title, the country's sports ministry said today...South Africa's government, Semenya's lawyers and the IAAF had reached total agreement that she will retain her gold medal, title and prize money because she has been found "innocent of any wrong", the ministry said in a statement...Agreement was also reached with the IAAF that scientific gender tests conducted on Semenya will be treated as confidential and there will be no public announcement of the results...The sports ministry said Semenya would decide her future on her own. "The implications of the scientific findings on Caster's health and life going forward will be analysed by Caster and she will make her own decision on her future. Whatever she decides, ours is to respect her decision."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/mar/31/caster-semenya-gender-return

Athletics South Africa expects the International Association of Athletics Federations to report back on the results of Caster Semanya's gender test by June and has told the athlete that she cannot compete until the results are known.

The world 800m champion released a statement yesterday indicating her intention to return to the sport immediately, just hours after the ASA said her return would have to wait until the conclusion of testing by the IAAF.

AND I CAN HEAR YOU ASKING...BUT THIS IS NOT GREAT NEWS!?!? 

Actually, it is...they have not broken her spirit. They have not dampened her courage.  They have not shut down her voice.  She will not be silenced...what a waste of her time, talent and gifts. Remember a  decision was made back in November, perhaps this is just plain and simple politics on the ASA part?

The IAAF said it could not confirm the details in the statement but said it had accepted the resignation of the Athletics South Africa president, Leonard Chuene, from the IAAF Council and had opened a formal investigation into the handling of the Semenya affair by Chuene and the ASA. 

Chuene and his board have been suspended by South Africa's Olympic governing body pending an investigation after Chuene admitted he lied when he denied Semenya had undergone gender tests before the world championships.

again: 

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/19/caster-semenya-athletics-south-africa